FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — On Saturday, October 4, Steamy Lit, a literary collective celebrating diversity in romance and Florida’s first brick-and-mortar romance bookstore, will officially open its doors in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale's newest outdoor creative shopping plaza, Thrive Art District. The bookstore joins Thrive Art District’s vibrant community of 100+ local artistic and creative vendors. 

Relocating from their Deerfield location, Steamy Lit owner Mel Saavedra, a proud Latina and Navy Veteran, says the new move has romance novel fans and new local authors excited to finally have a romance bookstore in Broward County. 

“Since sharing the news on social media, we’ve seen thousands of engagements from our followers and from the community. Relocating was the best decision that allows us to be closer to our largest fan base,” Saavedra confirmed.

One enthusiastic fan shared, “This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a bookstore like this. It's awesome that it’s local and even better that it’s ran by a fellow Latina! Congratulations! I can’t wait to visit!”

Among those most excited for Steamy Lit's grand opening is Thrive Art District co-owner Jonathan Fish who says this move is “something that's very well needed” and one that he’s “excited to see come together.”

 “We met Melissa and we thought her concept is really amazing,” Fish shared. “She gives the authors a place to go to and creates a kind of a community around it. I'm looking forward to people from the city, from the county, and even tourists coming there and seeing new books they may not be able to get in your regular bookstore and getting that experience of what old bookstores used to be like.”

Item dTo see a full list of Steamy Lit’s Ft. Lauderdale events as well as information about their grand opening, visit

steamylitbookstore.com